The County must create a quantifiable and actionable roadmap for what it expects from Pepco and the Maryland Public Service Commission regarding the utility company’s ongoing performance issues. That's why I sent a memorandum to the County Executive asking for an assessment and action plan by November.

Here is the full text of the memorandum:

August 9, 2012

TO: Isiah Leggett, County Executive

FROM: Nancy Floreen, Councilmember

RE: Ongoing role, influence and participation by the Montgomery County Government before the Public Service Commission (PSC) on performance issues related to Pepco

After listening to the Council's July 24 briefing and the Public Service Commission’s August 7 public hearing, I realized that while there has been significant public dialogue, the County still needs a clear roadmap of what it is asking from Pepco or the PSC.

We have heard many anecdotal stories about Pepco’s lack of preparedness, failure to communicate and deficiency in systematic investment. Also, much attention has been devoted to tree maintenance and the unprecedented circumstances of the latest storm. However, very little has been stated or documented in a quantifiable and actionable fashion.

We need to know where we stand and what exactly to do about it, as a unified County.

Therefore, I request that the County’s attorneys and outside consultants (if necessary) be tasked with providing the Executive and Council with a full assessment of the Pepco work plan, including an evaluation of Pepco's responses to the derecho storm and the continuing occurrence of blue sky outages.

Our legal team should be prepared to identify any legislative remedies which may be necessary to ensure access to Pepco data, systems and any other information that we need in order to be meaningful participants in solving the ongoing problems.

Given the extraordinary financial losses that the County and its residents have suffered as a result of the electric infrastructure problems over recent years, there can be no doubt that the time has come to take more aggressive action. We must ensure that the excellent recommendations of the 2011 Pepco Working Group are fully implemented, and we owe it to our residents to exercise the maximum oversight of Pepco's efforts. That means we need complete and accurate data and a clearly delineated plan of action.

I propose a November date for receipt of this work in order to prepare for the 2013 legislative session if necessary.

I look forward to continuing to work with you to resolve this crisis.

Welcome Tedi Osias

I'm pleased to announce the addition of Tedi Osias to my staff as an advisor on land use and housing issues. Tedi most recently served as Director of the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs for the Housing Opportunities Commission, but she’s not new to the County Council, having worked in our Office of Legislative Oversight and for Councilmember Howie Denis.

Tedi also has experience as a county land use and transportation planner. In addition, she served as an independent member of the Commission for Women and is a graduate and former board member of Leadership Montgomery. Recently, she attended the Kennedy School at Harvard. I'm thrilled to have her onboard.

County to Honor World War II Veterans

One day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Dee Paris went to enlist in the U.S. Army. His military career took him through some of the most famous battles of World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of the Rhine River. On Wednesday, September 19, at the Silver Spring Civic Building, Mr. Paris, who is 97 and lives in Silver Spring, will be among the speakers as Montgomery County honors the men and women who served their nation in World War II. Ted Koppel, who for 25 years hosted the ABC News show Nightline, will be the host. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 at the Civic Building in Silver Spring. The event is open to the public and will be simulcast live on many of the County’s public cable television channels.

Apply Now to the Charter Review Commission

We are accepting applications to fill an unexpired term on the Charter Review Commission. The appointee may be a Democrat, Republican or someone who declines to affiliate with a party, or a member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections.

Submit your letter of interest by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26.

The County Charter was amended in 1976 to provide that a Charter Review Commission be appointed by the County Council every four years to study the Charter. The Commission researches and evaluates Charter issues raised by the County Executive, County Council, other government officials, and the public. Commission reports are submitted no later than May 1 of every even-numbered year. These reports contain recommendations concerning any proposed Charter amendments.

The Commission is composed of 11 residents of the County, five of whom are appointed from a list of names submitted by the County Executive. No more than six members can be from the same political party.

Send your letter of interest with a resume to: Roger Berliner, President, Montgomery County Council, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, Maryland 20850. Resumes should include professional and civic experience, political party affiliation, home and office telephone numbers and an e-mail address. Letters and resumes submitted are made public as part of the appointment process. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.

For more information about the Charter Review Commission or how to apply for consideration to become a commission member, call Linda Lauer at 240-777-7979.

Fast Fact

Did you know that five extraordinary athletes from Montgomery County competed for Team USA in the 2012 London Olympics? They include 15-year-old swimming sensation and gold medalist Katie Ledecky, slalom kayaker Scott Parsons and rhythmic gymnast Julie Zetlin as well as rower David Banks and canoe/kayaker Caroline Queen. Congratulations to all.

Green Tip of the Month

Cooking oil and grease is hard on municipal water sanitation systems and can increase the energy required to treat waste water. It’s also hard on your garbage disposal and can build up and cause major problems in your plumbing system. Dispose of used oil responsibly through the County’s cooking and vegetable oil recycling program, where it is reused in animal feed and biofuels.

Let's Talk

Is your community organization hosting a public meeting? Please let me know how I can help. I am happy to assist residents in understanding pending bills or in finding ways to get involved in the political process. Even more important, I want to hear about what matters to you. Send your meeting notices to councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-7959 if you would like me to address a particular topic with your group.